Sometimes, in place of a long incision in the frontal area of the chest (often referred to as sternotomy), the cardiac surgeon uses one or more small incisions to carry out the cardiac surgery. These types of surgeries are called minimally invasive heart surgeries.

What are the types of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgeries?

Doctors usually classify minimally invasive heart surgeries into 2 buckets: Thoracoscopic surgery: Here, the cardiothoracic surgeon makes one or more small-sized cuts in the side of your chest. Through these cuts, they insert a long tube with a camera attached (thoracoscope). The surgeon carries out the entire procedure using the long, thin tools with the help of a video displayed outside. Robotic-assisted heart surgery: Here, through smaller cuts in the side of your chest, the surgeon guides robotic arms inside the body. With the help of these arms, the surgeon visualizes and performs the procedure.

What are the indications of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgeries? Your surgeon may indicate minimally invasive cardiac surgeries for various diseases, including but not limited to:

• Atrial septal defect (ASD) closure
• Atrioventricular canal defect surgery
• Cardiac tumour removal
• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation
• Valve repairs or replacements
• Ventricular assist device placement

Before Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Your surgeon will ask you to stop some medicines for a few days. You may also need to shave your chest where your surgeon will be performing the procedure. Just before the procedure, the anesthesia doctor will give you anesthesia so that you remain asleep during the procedure. The surgeon will connect you to the heart-lung machine so that your blood circulation remains uncompromised during the surgery.

During Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery The surgeon carries out the procedure in the below-mentioned steps:

• Creation of one or more incisions on your chest side
• Insertion of robotic arms or smaller tools (depending on the type of surgery) through the incisions
• Guiding the tools between the soft tissues and ribs to reach your heart
• Rectify the problem (repairing the heart, replacing a valve, placing a device, or removing the tumor).
• Suturing the incised area

After the Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery After the minimally invasive heart surgery, your surgeon may ask you to spend one or two days in the intensive care unit. They may put a drainage tube in your chest to prevent fluid buildup around the heart. You may need to stay for a few days in the hospital. The doctor may ask you to perform breathing exercises to prevent fluid buildup in the lungs.

Advantages of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery over Open Heart Surgeries Minimally invasive heart surgery benefits patients in below mentioned ways:

• Faster recovery
• Shorter hospital stays
• Minimal blood loss
• Better cosmetics with less visible scars
• Decreased risk of infection
• Reduced pain
• Less chances of bleeding

Complications of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Though minimal heart surgeries are safe, rarely they may be associated with some complications, such as:

• Excessive bleeding
• Irregular heartbeat or arrhythmias
• Infection
• Stroke

Life after Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery After getting discharged from the hospital, you may get tired easily for the first few weeks. You can return to your work as per the instructions given by your surgeon. Avoid lifting heavy weights for several weeks after surgery.

When to connect with a Doctor It is imperative to connect with your treating doctor as soon as you observe the below-mentioned symptoms:

• Pus or discharge oozing out from the incision area
• Swelling or excessive redness around the incision site
• Fever with or without chills
• Palpitations
• Fluid retention (oedema) or unusual swelling in your legs or feet
• Abnormal weight gain in a week after surgery